I am wondering what the life span of the "holes in tape" type slide would be. Has any one a technique to drill the holes? Bit concerned that if i glue it up, i can get back in to replace tape.
Also, can i use my shop compressor with a tank upstairs? Not worried about noise but wondering about the small amount of oil in the air.
Kind regards,

Yes. Life SPAN of the holes in a terminator air bearing turntable. I have some very HD foil tape, i know what i am like at drilling .3mm holes and how many bits i will go thru. Interested in your experience as to how long the tape lasts.

I have built a terminator clone and the technique is to drill with a 3mm drill bit most of the way through the aluminum section and then using the very fine 0.3mm drill bit from Ebay or from herehttp://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplies.co.uk/03mm-hss-drill-bit-bulk-pack-p-1576.html to drill the rest of the way through.

But buy as many of the 0.3mm drill bits as you can afford you maybe lucky and one bit can drill all the holes required, but its worth being prepared if the luck isn't with you.

I have ordered the drill bits, my press is very cheap and the stop it not really very effective, the drill tends not to stop at correct depth. I will give it ago tho.
Still interested in experiances with the lifespan of tape with holes.
Moko, love to see how you made the VTA and level adjustments. Mine is a bunch of angle with slides drilled and files out. I can guarantee there is a better way.
I might make this one and then have a machinist improve it.....
or buy a lathe.....

I have no access to a lathe so all the bits have been made with a dremel drill press, files, JB Weld glue...difficult but it can be done.

Unfortunately I have been a bit distracted lately and haven't got round to finishing the tonearm part yet, but the pump & carrier parts all seem to work well and hopefully with a machinist friend it should all be complete in the next few weeks.

I have built a terminator clone and the technique is to drill with a 3mm drill bit most of the way through the aluminum section and then using the very fine 0.3mm drill bit from Ebay or from herehttp://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplies.co.uk/03mm-hss-drill-bit-bulk-pack-p-1576.html to drill the rest of the way through.

But buy as many of the 0.3mm drill bits as you can afford you maybe lucky and one bit can drill all the holes required, but its worth being prepared if the luck isn't with you.

I mean...given the prioce for the terminator...is it really worth it to run a clone?

Thanks for the encouragement.
Moko, I have gone down the same road, files and drill press. I had an epiphany last night. I want to use the bearings, collets, rods for a cnc machine for the VTA. Should be easy to adjust with a finely threaded rod and it would run parallel accurately.
Compared to buying a terminator, I would be surprised if making one cost 10%.